Democracy, Voting & Elections: November's Funding Landscape

November is a month when democracy work feels urgent and personal. Whether you're running voter education in a specific neighborhood, building long-term civic infrastructure, or protecting civil liberties at the grassroots level, the funders below are actively looking to support the work you're doing. These opportunities span from microgrants that move fast to larger awards for established programs, and they're all open to applications coming up over the next few weeks.

National Civic League / Spread the Vote: Microgrant for Hyper-Local Voter Outreach Community Groups

If you're a hyper-local community group running nonpartisan voter outreach, this microgrant program offers up to $1,000 to execute creative get-out-the-vote activities. That includes voter registration, transportation to polls, childcare, and voter education. Beyond the grant itself, you'll also receive on-the-ground expertise and partner resources like rides to the polls and nonpartisan voter education materials. This is built for small groups doing real work in their neighborhoods. Apply here

The Denver Foundation: Grant for Civic Engagement and Voter Participation Nonprofits

The Denver Foundation supports nonpartisan, community-led policy, advocacy, and voter engagement work in Colorado, with grants up to $50,000. They prioritize historically underserved communities, young voters, and communities with historically low civic participation. Funded activities include multilingual voter education, grassroots organizing, and long-term civic infrastructure building. If your work in Colorado centers equity and community voice, this is a strong fit. Apply here

Borealis Philanthropy: Grant for Frontline Power-Building Organizations

Borealis funds frontline power-building organizations, coalitions, and emergent formations advancing community safety, democracy protection, and belonging in communities most impacted by criminalization. Grants go up to $125,000 and support strategies that transform systems of criminalization and exclusion. If you're doing power-building work that connects democracy protection to criminal legal reform, this funder understands your theory of change. Selected applicants from the letter of intent stage are invited to submit a full proposal. Apply here

ACLU of Kansas: Microgrant for Grassroots Civil Liberties Nonprofits

ACLU of Kansas offers microgrants up to $1,000 to small, grassroots organizations in Kansas working to promote civil liberties, democracy, equality, and justice. They prioritize organizations led by and serving impacted communities, especially people of color, and focus on building organizational capacity for early-stage groups. Funded work may address voting rights, criminal legal reform, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive healthcare, police accountability, and immigrants' rights. Apply here

National Issues Forums Institute: Grant for Community Civic Action Nonprofits and Organizations

NIFI supports local, nonpartisan project ideas and civic actions that emerge from "What's Next, America?" community discussions. Grants up to $5,000 are intended for communities that have completed the discussion portion and are preparing to host an action summit. These funds support collaborative, community-driven efforts such as youth-led initiatives, working groups, coalitions, and civic action projects. If you've already built the conversation and now need to fund the action, this is worth exploring. Apply here

National Endowment for Democracy: Grant for International Democracy and Civil Society Organizations

The National Endowment for Democracy supports non-governmental organizations abroad working to strengthen democratic institutions, advance civic participation, and promote democratic goals. Grants go up to $213,380 and reach civil society groups in more than 90 countries across thematic priorities including free expression, human rights, and democratic governance. If your organization works internationally on democracy and civil society, this is a major opportunity. Apply here

Southern California Grantmakers / Press Forward: Grant for Nonprofit Public Policy Organizations

This rolling opportunity supports public policy work through a partnership between Press Forward and the Southern California Grantmakers Member Network. The program focuses on journalism, media, and civic engagement in Southern California. If your organization does policy work or civic engagement in the region, this is worth a conversation with the funder. Apply here

The month ahead brings a real mix of entry points, from $1,000 microgrants to six-figure awards. If there's a specific funder relationship you're trying to strengthen or a gap in this month's coverage, reply and let us know. We're here to keep an eye on the funders who matter to your work.

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